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Science News for September 17, 2008


Collaboration helps police address job stress

A new police collaboration program has been launched to address job stress among officers, reducing stigma around seeking help. The program trains over 80 commanders and supervisors to recognize warning signs of operational stress.

SourceSAGE·JournalPolice Quarterly·DateSep 17, 2008

Homosexuals' negative feelings about sexuality predict poor mental and sexual health

A recent study published in the Journal of Homosexuality found that internalized homonegativity, or negative attitudes towards homosexuality, is a stronger predictor of poor mental and sexual health among gay men than the act of being homosexual itself. The research suggests that positive attitudes towards homosexuality are associated ...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of Homosexuality·DateSep 17, 2008

James Webb Telescope components pass tests

Development models for James Webb Telescope components have successfully passed temperature and vibration tests, allowing engineers to proceed with building actual instrument parts. The Mid-Infrared Instrument, which will operate between mid-infrared wavelengths of 5-28.5 microns, must be kept icy cold due to its extreme sensitivity to...

Coating copies microscopic biological surfaces

Penn State researchers have developed a method to rapidly and inexpensively copy biological surface structures using the conformal evaporated film by rotation (CEFR) technique. This technique enables the creation of coatings that capture the micro and nanostructure of biological surfaces, including metallic finishes and iridescent colors.

SourcePenn State·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 17, 2008

Fixed costs determine structure of the supermarket industry

A study published in the RAND Journal of Economics reveals that escalating investments in distribution systems drive a natural oligopoly in the supermarket industry. A small number of firms capture majority sales, regardless of market size, resulting in concentrated industry with better products.

SourceWiley·JournalThe RAND Journal of Economics·DateSep 17, 2008

UNC study: No need to repeat colonoscopy until 5 years after first screening

A new study found that people with an initial negative colonoscopy have a very low risk of developing colorectal cancer within five years. Based on this study, rescreening may not be necessary sooner than five years after the initial screening. The study's findings confirm what many gastroenterologists already believed.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 17, 2008

Political views affect firms' corporate social responsibility

A new study finds that companies in Democratic states tend to have higher corporate social responsibility (CSR) ratings than those in Republican states. The research analyzed the 2004 presidential election results of communities where corporate headquarters are located, revealing a correlation between political views and CSR ratings.

SourceWiley·JournalFinancial Review·DateSep 17, 2008

Penn researchers use honeybee venom toxin to develop a new tool for studying hypertension

Researchers at Penn School of Medicine have created a highly specific inhibitor, TPNLQ, that selectively blocks potassium channels in kidneys, opening a new avenue for treating hypertension. This breakthrough could provide a potential new approach to reducing salt reabsorption and lower blood pressure.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 17, 2008

Top-selling prescription drug mismarketed to women

A study published in Journal of Empirical Legal Studies found that Lipitor's advertising omits crucial information relevant to women, raising concerns about its safety. The study questions Pfizer's claims of clinical proof for Lipitor's effectiveness in preventing heart attacks in women with multiple risk factors.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Empirical Legal Studies·DateSep 17, 2008

Healthy people with elevated levels of uric acid are at risk of developing kidney disease

A study found that healthy individuals with elevated uric acid levels have a higher risk of developing kidney disease, particularly in women and those with hypertension. The researchers recommend initiating clinical trials to assess the potential of uric acid-lowering drugs for preventing kidney disease.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 17, 2008

Global warming's ecosystem double whammy

A four-year study by Rice University and DRI found that one abnormally warm year can reduce carbon dioxide uptake in grassland ecosystems for up to two years. The study replicated daily and seasonal changes in temperature and rainfall, and tracked CO2 flux between the atmosphere and biosphere.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateSep 17, 2008

Brown-assisted trial finds new colorectal screening procedure is accurate and less invasive

A new colorectal screening procedure, CT colonography, has been found to be highly accurate in detecting intermediate and large polyps. The study, which used virtual reality technology, compared the accuracy of CT colonography with conventional colonoscopy and found that it was comparable in its ability to accurately detect problems.

SourceBrown University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 17, 2008